PSVR 2 release date, price & more on PS5 headset

The original PSVR headset was a lot of fun, but the new one looks a lot more hardcore in terms of its specs - and the fact that it only has one cable is definitely a huge bonus.

Keep on reading and we'll run through all of the essential details about the PSVR 2 release date and the headset itself.

When is the PSVR 2 release date?

The PSVR 2 release date is scheduled for 22nd February 2023. This is a worldwide release date so you can bet on the new PlayStation VR headset launching in the UK on that date.

How much is the PSVR 2 price?

The PSVR 2 price is £529.99 RRP. This may seem expensive, but given its technical specifications, you are getting a lot of bang for your buck.

The price listed above will bag you the PSVR 2 headset with the PSVR 2 Sense Controllers and a pair of stereo headphones. You can also grab hold of a PSVR 2 Horizon Call of the Mountain bundle which comes with everything listed above plus a voucher code containing Horizon Call of the Mountain.

You can pre-order the PSVR 2 on the official PlayStation store right now. For the time being, this will be the only place to buy the headset, with traditional retailers like Argos and Currys not yet carrying stock.

What new features does the PSVR 2 PS5 headset have?

In a recent PlayStation blog post, following the big Sony presentation at CES 2022, several key features were confirmed for the PSVR 2. There were four main items that Sony pulled out for discussion.

First up, you can expect improved visual fidelity, with Sony stating that PSVR 2 "offers 4K HDR, 110-degree field of view, and foveated rendering. With an OLED display, players can expect a display resolution of 2000×2040 per eye and smooth frame rates of 90/120Hz."

Sony also shouted about headset-based controller tracking, saying the new headset "tracks you and your controller through integrated cameras embedded in the VR headset. Your movements and the direction you look at are reflected in-game without the need for an external camera."

There will also be new sensory features including "eye tracking, headset feedback, 3D Audio, and the innovative PSVR2 Sense controller [which work together] to create an incredibly deep feeling of immersion.

And for anyone that has fiddled around with the multitude of cables that came with the PS4-era VR headset, there was one piece of particularly great news: "[The new headset] will connect to PS5 with a single cord to simplify setup and improve ease-of-use, while enabling a high-fidelity visual experience."

PSVR 2 specs

Sony has shared the following list of PSVR 2 specifications, giving us a pretty good idea of what is going on inside the new PS5 VR headset:

• Display method:​ OLED
• Panel resolution​: 2000 x 2040 per eye
• Panel refresh rate​: 90Hz, 120Hz
• Lens separation:​ Adjustable
• Field of View:​ Approx. 110 degrees
• Motion Sensor: Six-axis motion sensing system (three-axis gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer)​
• Attachment Sensor: IR Proximity sensor
• Cameras​: 4 cameras for headset and controller tracking​ IR camera for eye tracking per eye
• Feedback:​ Vibration on headset
• Communication​ with PS5: USB Type-C
• Audio​ Input: Built-in microphone​
• Audio Output: Stereo headphone jack

What are the new PSVR 2 controller features?

The wand-like PlayStation Move controllers, from the PS4 era, were not universally beloved, so it's nice to learn that Sony is working on overhauling its VR-based controller tech.

Sony's new VR controller will be called the PSVR2 Sense controller, and it will have an orb-like shape that curls around your hands (see the official image above to see what we mean).

In another PlayStation blog post, Sony promised that the Sense controllers will have adaptive triggers and haptic feedback, borrowing those universally-praised immersion features from the PS5 console's DualSense controllers.

As well as having both motion controls and the traditional PlayStation buttons (Square, Triangle, X and Circle), the Sense controllers will also have a major new feature called finger touch detection.

Sony has teased: "The controller can detect your fingers without any pressing in the areas where you place your thumb, index, or middle fingers. This enables you to make more natural gestures with your hands during gameplay."

Read more: Why the PSVR 2 controllers are game-changer for VR

PSVR 2 controller specs

Sony shared this official list of specs for the PSVR 2 Sense controllers:

• Buttons​ [Right]​: PS button, Options button, Action buttons (Circle / Cross), R1 button, R2 button, Right Stick / R3 button
• Buttons ​[Left]: PS button, Create button, Action buttons (Triangle / Square), L1 button, L2 button, Left Stick / L3 button
• Motion Sensor: Six-axis motion sensing system (three-axis gyroscope + three-axis accelerometer)
• Capacitive Sensor: Finger Touch DetectionIR LED: Position Tracking
• Feedback:​ Trigger Effect (on R2/L2 button), Haptic Feedback (by single actuator per unit)
• Port: USB Type-C Port
• Communication:​ Bluetooth Ver5.1​
• Battery​ Type: Built-in Lithium-ion Rechargeable Battery​

What PSVR 2 games have been confirmed for PS5?

It seems clear that Sony hasn't forgotten one of gaming's golden rules - a platform is only as good as the experiences you can have on it.

Sony and other publishers have shown a good level of dedication to the PSVR 2 with over 30 games confirmed to release on launch day, several more within its launch window and plenty more beyond. Check out our complete list of confirmed PSVR 2 games page to see everything that has been announced for the platform.

The first Sony PSVR 2 game is Horizon Call of the Mountain, and it will take place in the same universe as Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West. You can watch the reveal trailer above.

Horizon Call of the Mountain will see you playing as a new character, rather than Aloy from the previous Horizon games, and Sony described it like so in a PlayStation blog:

"Created for PlayStation VR 2, this unique experience has been designed to push hardware technology, innovation, and gameplay. The stunning visuals and brand new PSVR 2 Sense controllers give a new meaning to being fully immersed into the world of Horizon."

Reflecting on what Sony has already achieved in VR, another PlayStation blog post mentioned: "We’ve seen tremendous experiences that have propelled virtual reality gaming forward, including highly acclaimed titles like Astro Bot: Rescue Mission, Tetris Effect, Blood & Truth, Moss, Beat Saber, and Resident Evil 7 biohazard."

At the June 2022 State of Play, Sony then revealed several big PSVR 2 titles, including Among Us VR, No Man's Sky, Resident Evil 4 Remake, Resident Evil Village and The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2.

During the September 2022 PlayStation State of Play, Sony revealed that Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge - Enhanced Edition will launch on PSVR 2 in 2023. Tabletop dungeon crawler Demeo will also be hitting the platform in 2023.

Sony has also revealed that there will be 20 launch games available when PSVR 2, which includes After the Fall, Cities VR, Cosmonious High, and Moss and Moss Book 2. What's more, The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR is also launching alongside the PSVR 2, which you can see in action below:

Announced during Sony's CES 2023 press conference, Gran Turismo 7 is receiving a free update that will allow you to play the game on PSVR 2 upon the headset's launch. What's more, Beat Saber has also been announced for the platform.

Looking ahead to the PS5 era of PSVR, one thing we'd love to see is a full sequel to Astro Bot: Rescue Mission. The first game's hero, Astro, has already become something of a mascot for PlayStation as a brand, with a fun demo called Astro's Playroom coming free with every PS5 console.

Of course, Sony will announce more details about the PSVR 2 PS5 headset and its games when it's ready to do so. Watch this space, folks!

Hungry for more gaming? Visit our video game release schedule, or swing by our hubs for more Gaming and Technology news.

Looking for something to watch? Check out our TV Guide or Streaming Guide.

Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home — subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times View From My Sofa podcast.